Team USA boss and Predators GM David Poile hospitalized after getting hit by errant puck

2014-02-06 17:41:00

ST. PAUL, Minn. - Nashville Predators general manager David Poile was taken to a hospital Thursday after being struck in the face by an errant puck during the team's morning skate at Minnesota, and he was staying there overnight for observation and evaluation.

The Predators were preparing for the game against the Wild at Xcel Energy Center when Poile was hit by a puck that flew off the ice at him where he was standing in a tunnel behind the bench. Poile also is the general manager for the U.S. Olympic hockey team for the Winter Games in Sochi, and he was scheduled to leave for Russia this weekend.

"I came in just as they were wheeling him out," coach Barry Trotz said. "I saw him in the trainer's room, and they put him on the stretcher to take him out. I didn't think he felt like talking."

Trotz said Poile was hit above the eye.

"That's the first thing you worry about," the coach said, adding: "It was a hard, rocket pass that skipped and hit him pretty flush, so we hope everything is fine there."

Predators television announcer Pete Weber also left the arena in the morning for the hospital. He was taken for emergency heart surgery but was resting comfortable later in the day, the team said.